LANCE HORNBY, QMI Agency

California dreaming, as they arrive in warmer climes, could become a nightmare in what most agree will be their biggest road test of the season. After weeks of warily eyeing this week’s games on the calendar, the Leafs now have to prove their playoff mettle against three of the NHL’s best.

Anaheim (Monday), San Jose (Tuesday) and Los Angeles (Thursday) rank 1-2-3 in the Pacific Division, with the Ducks leading the entire league. Their combined records are 120-43-20 and their stars pop up in all of the NHL’s individual categories for best offence and defence.

The Leafs are taking the long way home, too, with stops in Washington and Detroit, teams hoping that the travel-weary visitors can be exploited for points that will directly impact the Eastern Conference playoffs.